Breast Procedures After Weight Loss

Serving Manhattan, New York City and Surrounding Areas.

After major weight loss, many men and women are drawn to plastic surgery to improve the appearance of their breasts. Similar to other parts of the body, the changes seen in the breasts are often noticeable in clothing, and preclude you from looking as good as you feel. In the normal aging process, the glandular (firm) portions of the breast are replaced with looser fatty tissues and change shape. With significant weight loss, similar changes occur, and are a common cause for concern for both men and women.

Since the changes that occur in every patient’s breasts/chest are individual with respect to skin quality (sagging), and volume (size), there are several techniques used to improve their appearance after weight loss. A personal consultation with Dr. Schwartz at his surgical center in New York City is the best way to determine which procedure will help you achieve your goals.

Women

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) After Weight Loss in NYC

Rapid weight loss is one of the common causes of decreased skin elasticity, and the breast is especially prone to these changes. Breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a procedure that removes the excess, sagging breast skin. This procedure has the goal of raising the breast tissue and nipple to a more attractive, youthful, and “uplifted” state. It also helps the breasts to feel more supple, similar to the pre-weight loss state.

The operation is individualized to each patient’s needs. The amount of skin that needs to be removed, coupled with the patient’s desires and goals, determines the type of incision that is necessary. Most weight loss patient’s need to have skin removed around the areola (brown skin surrounding the nipples) and the breast itself. The scars can range from an inverted “T” shaped scar (vertical component from the bottom of the areola to the breast fold, and horizontal component along the breast fold), to a vertical scar from the bottom of the areola to the breast fold. Occasionally, a minimally invasive procedure can be done with only a scar around the areola, but this is uncommon with most weight loss patients due to the amount of skin laxity present.

The breast lift is done with either “twilight” or a general anesthetic and takes two to three hours. It is most frequently an outpatient procedure. Most patients report less than average pain with this procedure, are able to return to work in seven to ten days, and can resume their regular activities three weeks later.

Breast Augmentation After Weight Loss in NYC

With significant weight loss, the skin is not the only part of the breast that is affected. In fact, the breast tissue itself, which is normally full and supple, becomes loose and “deflated”. Breast augmentation enlarges the breasts, and restores this lost volume by the placement of a breast implant.

There are many choices and considerations for breast augmentation and Dr. Schwartz will help you decide which type of implant and approach best meets your desires and expectations at his New York City practice. Dr. Schwartz uses both silicone and saline breast implants, depending on patient preference. The surgery is performed through one of several small incisions located along the breast fold, around the areola, or occasionally in the underarm. The implants may either be placed underneath the breast/chest (pectoralis) muscle or under the breast tissue. Most weight loss patients choose to have the breast implants placed under the breast muscle since this provides a more natural appearance under their loose skin.

A breast augmentation is done with either “twilight” or a general anesthetic, and is an outpatient procedure. It generally takes one to two hours to perform this operation. Postoperative pain is managed with oral medication and most patients return to work in seven to ten days. Routine physical activities are ordinarily resumed one to two weeks postoperatively.

Breast Augmentation and Lift After Weight Loss in NYC

The combination of rapid, dramatic weight loss combined with gravity, pregnancy, breast-feeding, and normal aging, can cause breast deformities that are inadequately addressed with a breast lift or a breast augmentation alone. If there is a significant degree of skin sagging and volume loss, you may wish to consider a combined breast augmentation and breast lift.

During this combined procedure, a breast implant is placed through the proposed breast lift incision, and the excess skin is then removed and tightened. This procedure is usually performed with a general anesthetic, on an outpatient basis, and takes two to four hours to complete. Pain is controlled with oral pain relief and long-acting local anesthetics given at the time of the procedure. Most patients can return to work approximately seven to ten days after surgery, and to their usual activities two to three weeks postoperatively.

Breast Reduction After Weight Loss in Manhattan, NYC

Even after weight loss, many patients that started out with relatively large breasts are still dissatisfied with the large size of their breasts. Large breasts may also cause physical pain and discomfort. This surgery helps to achieve a more comfortable, proportionate breast size where weight loss cannot. It can alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain, bra straps marks, skin crease rashes, and restricted physical activity caused by the weight of large, heavy breasts.

Breast reduction is performed with an individualized approach and the scars are similar to a breast lift. The nipple, which often descends with the breast tissue, is placed in its proper position, and if necessary, the areola size is made smaller, to match the size of the reduced breast.

This surgery is performed with a general anesthetic, mostly on an outpatient basis, and takes approximately three to four hours to perform. Most patients return to work approximately ten days after their surgery, and resume normal activities two to three weeks later.

Breast reduction may be considered a reconstructive procedure and may be covered by health insurance when it is performed to relieve medical symptoms that are not responsive to non-surgical treatments. Dr. Schwartz will help guide you through this process and will answer any questions at the time of your consultation at his practice in New York City.

Men

Gynecomastia/Breast Reduction for Men After Weight Loss in Manhattan, NYC

The medical term for abnormal enlargement of the male breast is gynecomastia and is a common concern for men after weight loss. Many men are left with excess skin, fat, and dense breast tissue in the region of the chest. The excess tissue may extend to the side of the chest and even the back. The redundant tissue may be visible both in and out of clothing, and can understandably affect one’s body image.

Unfortunately, the excess skin and breast tissue is usually not responsive to additional dieting or exercise. For patients with excess fat, glandular tissue, and minimal excess skin, liposuction alone, or with direct tissue removal is quite effective. This procedure is done with a small incision around the areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) and a small incision in the underarm, both of which are likely to become barely visible with time. In patients with larger amounts of excess skin who wish to have correction of their gynecomastia, additional incisions are often necessary to remove the skin, and achieve a desirable result. The type of procedure best suited to treat your gynecomastia after weight loss can be discussed at a consultation with Dr. Schwartz at his practice in New York City.

This surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure with either a general anesthetic or a “twilight” anesthetic, depending on the amount of skin that it is necessary to remove. Pain is controlled with oral pain relief and long-acting local anesthetics given at the time of the procedure. Most patients return to work in a week, though strenuous activities must be avoided for two to three weeks. Patients typically wear a pressure vest for two weeks, which helps to decrease postoperative swelling and bruising.

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Dr. Mark H. Schwartz

Mark H. Schwartz, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience making confidence-building, positive transformations in his patient’s lives. Recognized by Castle Connolly as one of the New York Metro Area’s top plastic surgeons, he looks forward to discussing your interest in plastic surgery and developing an individualized treatment plan.